Launched at the London Motor Show in 1958, the Aston Martin DB4 emphatically demonstrated that a British manufacturer could better the Italians at their own game when it came to constructing the ultimate Gran Turismo. Its specification included a completely new steel platform chassis with disc brakes all round, and a race-developed twin-cam six-cylinder engine, all clothed in a perfectly proportioned aluminium body designed by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. Overall, the DB4 was state-of-the-art for its time, a masterpiece of robust British engineering combined with exquisite Italian styling.
Engineered under the watchful eye of Harold Beech, the immensely strong platform-type chassis replaced the DB2/4's multi-tubular spaceframe, the latter being considered incompatible with Touring's Superleggera body construction that employed its own lightweight tubular structure to support the hand-formed aluminium-alloy body panels. The trailing-link independent front suspension of the DB2/4 gave way to unequal-length wishbones while at the rear the DB4 sported a live axle located by Watts linkage instead of its predecessor's Panhard rod.
The new car's competition potential had been recognised from the outset and the factory lost no time in developing a lightweight version suitable for racing, the resulting DB4GT debuting at the 1959 London Motor Show. The model had already been proven in competition earlier that year when the prototype driven by Stirling Moss ('DP/199') won its first race at Silverstone. Extensive modifications to the standard car took 5" out of the wheelbase and replaced the rear seats with a luggage platform on all but a small number of cars. Together with lighter, 18-gauge bodywork, these changes reduced the car's weight by around 200lb (91kg).
The GT used a tuned engine which, equipped with a twin-plug cylinder head and triple Weber 45DCOE carburettors, produced a claimed 302bhp at 6,000rpm, a useful increase over the standard car's claimed 240bhp. Maximum speed, of course, depended on overall gearing but 153mph was achieved during testing with a 0-60mph time of 6.1 seconds recorded. The DB4 was also one of the first cars to go from standstill to 100mph and then brake to a dead stop on under 20 seconds, a tribute, in part, to its up-rated Girling brakes as used on Aston Martin's sports racers of the era.
Viewed from the front, the GT was readily distinguishable by its faired-in headlamps with Perspex covers, a feature later made standard on the DB5 and DB6. The rear screen and quarter windows were Perspex on many examples; bumper over-riders were deleted and the wind-down windows were frame-less within the doors. Twin Monza quick-release competition fuel fillers were added atop the rear wings, leading to a large-capacity fuel tank mounted flat in the boot. GTs were fitted as standard with lightweight Borrani 42-spoke wire wheels with alloy rims and three-ear 'knock-offs'. Trimmed to full Aston Martin road car specification, the interior boasted fine Connolly leather upholstery and deep-pile Wilton carpeting, while the GT benefited from the addition of an oil temperature gauge to the standard complement.
The DB4GT offered a strong challenge to the prevailing Ferrari dominance in GT racing, with examples entered by the works and John Ogier's Essex Racing Stable enjoying numerous victories. Driven by the likes of Roy Salvadori, Stirling Moss, Jim Clark and Innes Ireland, the DB4GT earned its stripes every weekend on the racing circuit. In December 1959, at the Bahamas Speed Week, Stirling Moss won driving a standard customer DB4GT 'borrowed' by the works following the demise of Moss's intended DBR2! The DB4GT was indeed a true dual-purpose car, equally at ease on both the circuit and Grand Tour.
DB4GT chassis number '0142/L' is one of only 30 of its kind produced with left-hand drive and was originally shipped to the United States Aston Martin agent, BMCD on 13th January 1961. Originally finished in Caribbean Pearl with dark blue interior, the car was delivered to its first owner, James H Clapp of Seattle, Washington on 29th August that same year.
'0142/L' was later sold to one S A Considas. Its last owner in the USA is recorded in AMOC Register records as Donald M Baldocchi of Mountain Gate, California, who had purchased it in 1978 from well-known Aston Martin enthusiast Charlie Turner's Aston Martin Lagonda Inc in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
In 1997 the DB4GT was sold, returning to the United Kingdom where it was totally restored by the specialists at Aston Workshop, in the course of which the engine was enlarged to 4.2 litres capacity. It was then purchased by the current titled owner, a member of a noble European family. The owner is a gentleman racer and Aston Martin collector who competed in the International GT Endurance Series with a Porsche 911 RSR and the Venturi Gentleman Drivers' Trophy in 1993-95. A founding supporter of the Gstaad Automobile Club, he has participated in many rallies including the Classic du Maroc, Rallye de Slovenia, Tour Auto and Tour Britannia. He was invited to enter his DB4GT in the Tour Auto and the Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este in 2001.
In 2004 the Aston was returned to the UK for refurbishment by renowned marque specialists, RS Williams, whose detailed breakdown of all the works carried out is on file. These include extensive bodywork repairs; a full body strip-down and repaint; gearbox and rear axle overhaul; refurbishment of five wheels; conversion to negative-earth electrics; front suspension overhaul; speedometer re-calibration and zeroing; and fitting a new starter motor, exhaust manifolds, rear dampers and an aluminium heater matrix. '0142/L' is fitted with a special competition fuel tank and comes with the original tank and its front and rear bumpers.
The owner has continued to participate in the Tour Auto, in which the Aston's record is outstanding; only twice not placed in the top ten, the car has achieved two 3rd places, three 5th places and on the 2005 event won the Regularity Class outright. Since the 2004 rebuild the Aston has been routinely serviced by other recognised specialists including Ledi Garge, Auto Klassiker and Autonautica. Accompanying documentation consists of copy factory build sheet, sundry restoration/service invoices and FIVA Identity Card.
Aston Martin built a mere 75 DB4GTs (plus another 19 Zagato-bodied variants, one Bertone-bodied special and five 'Team' or 'Development Project' GTs). Of the 75 examples, 45 were supplied in right-hand drive form and 30 were left-hand drive. Amongst the most beloved of all Astons, the DB4GT remains unmatched for its unique combination of performance and roadability.
Despite its tremendous rarity and value, the DB4GT remains a popular entrant at major historic racing events such as the Goodwood Revival and the numerous (and highly competitive) Aston Martin Owners' Club Championship race meetings in the UK. The DB4GT was designed for competition and '0142/L' offers a rare opportunity to acquire an original left-hand drive example that has achieved great success in the classic rallies it has been maintained and prepared for.

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